Hezekiah, who dominates Isaiah's political narratives through royal authority and divine judgment, transforms into a vulnerable supplicant whose tears and gratitude reveal unprecedented emotional intimacy with God.
Isaiah 38
Hezekiah's Illness and Recovery
1In those days Hezekiah was sick and near death. Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, came to him, and said to him, “The LORD says, ‘Set your house in order, for you will die, and not live.’”
2Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD,
3and said, “Remember now, LORD, I beg you, how I have walked before you in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in your sight.” Then Hezekiah wept bitterly.
4Then the LORD’s word came to Isaiah, saying,
5“Go, and tell Hezekiah, ‘The LORD, the God of David your father, says, “I have heard your prayer. I have seen your tears. Behold, I will add fifteen years to your life.
6I will deliver you and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria, and I will defend this city.
7This shall be the sign to you from the LORD, that the LORD will do this thing that he has spoken.
8Behold, I will cause the shadow on the sundial, which has gone down on the sundial of Ahaz with the sun, to return backward ten steps.”’” So the sun returned ten steps on the sundial on which it had gone down.
9The writing of Hezekiah king of Judah, when he had been sick, and had recovered of his sickness:
10I said, “In the middle of my life I go into the gates of Sheol. I am deprived of the residue of my years.”
11I said, “I won’t see the LORD, the LORD in the land of the living. I will see man no more with the inhabitants of the world.
12My dwelling is removed, and is carried away from me like a shepherd’s tent. I have rolled up my life like a weaver. He will cut me off from the loom. From day even to night you will make an end of me.
13I waited patiently until morning. He breaks all my bones like a lion. From day even to night you will make an end of me.
14I chattered like a swallow or a crane. I moaned like a dove. My eyes weaken looking upward. Lord, I am oppressed. Be my security.”
15What will I say? He has both spoken to me, and himself has done it. I will walk carefully all my years because of the anguish of my soul.
16Lord, men live by these things; and my spirit finds life in all of them. You restore me, and cause me to live.
17Behold, for peace I had great anguish, but you have in love for my soul delivered it from the pit of corruption; for you have cast all my sins behind your back.
18For Sheol can’t praise you. Death can’t celebrate you. Those who go down into the pit can’t hope for your truth.
19The living, the living, he shall praise you, as I do today. The father shall make known your truth to the children.
20The LORD will save me. Therefore we will sing my songs with stringed instruments all the days of our life in the LORD’s house.
21Now Isaiah had said, “Let them take a cake of figs, and lay it for a poultice on the boil, and he shall recover.”
22Hezekiah also had said, “What is the sign that I will go up to the LORD’s house?”
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Theme
King Hezekiah receives a death sentence from God through Isaiah but responds with earnest prayer, appealing to his faithful reign. God graciously extends his life by fifteen years and provides a miraculous sign by reversing the sun's shadow on a sundial. Hezekiah's psalm of thanksgiving reflects on his near-death experience and celebrates God's deliverance, emphasizing that the living must praise God and pass on His truth to future generations.
Context
This chapter follows the Assyrian crisis of chapters 36-37, showing God's continued faithfulness to Hezekiah and setting up the problematic Babylonian embassy visit in chapter 39.
Key Themes
Outline
- 1-3 Hezekiah's Terminal Diagnosis and Prayer Isaiah delivers God's message that Hezekiah will die, prompting the king's tearful prayer appealing to his faithful service.
- 4-8 God's Response and Miraculous Sign God grants Hezekiah fifteen additional years and confirms this promise by reversing the sun's shadow ten steps backward.
- 9-14 Hezekiah's Lament During Illness The king's written reflection describes his despair at facing premature death and separation from God and community.
- 15-20 Thanksgiving for Divine Deliverance Hezekiah expresses gratitude for God's forgiveness and healing, committing to praise God and teach future generations.
- 21-22 Medical Treatment and Confirmation Isaiah prescribes a fig poultice for healing, and Hezekiah requests a sign confirming his recovery.
Hezekiah's Illness and Recovery
38:1–38:22 narrative narration contemplative
Hezekiah receives a death sentence from Isaiah, prays earnestly, and is granted fifteen additional years of life with a miraculous sign.
person_contrast
Hezekiah, who dominates Isaiah's political narratives through royal authority and divine judgment, transforms into a vulnerable supplicant whose tears and gratitude reveal unprecedented emotional intimacy with God.
Insights
Cross-References
Connected passages across Scripture
Isaiah 38:1 5 references
Lexicals 5
2 Kings 20:1 Lexical
In those days Hezekiah was sick and dying. Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came to him, and said to him, “The LORD sa…
2 Chronicles 32:20 Lexical
Hezekiah the king and Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, prayed because of this, and cried to heaven.
2 Chronicles 32:32 Lexical
Now the rest of the acts of Hezekiah and his good deeds, behold, they are written in the vision of Isaiah the prophet, t…
Isaiah 1:1 Lexical
The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem, in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz,…
2 Kings 19:20 Lexical
Then Isaiah the son of Amoz sent to Hezekiah, saying, “The LORD, the God of Israel, says ‘You have prayed to me against…
Isaiah 38:2 1 reference
Isaiah 38:3 2 references
Isaiah 38:5 1 reference
Isaiah 38:6 2 references
Lexicals 2
Isaiah 38:8 3 references
Lexicals 3
2 Kings 20:11 Lexical
Isaiah the prophet cried to the LORD; and he brought the shadow ten steps backward, by which it had gone down on the sun…
2 Kings 20:10 Lexical
Hezekiah answered, “It is a light thing for the shadow to go forward ten steps. No, but let the shadow return backward t…
2 Kings 20:9 Lexical
Isaiah said, “This will be the sign to you from the LORD, that the LORD will do the thing that he has spoken: should the…
Isaiah 38:9 2 references
Isaiah 38:13 1 reference
Isaiah 38:14 1 reference
Isaiah 38:18 5 references
Lexicals 5
Proverbs 1:12 Lexical
Let’s swallow them up alive like Sheol, and whole, like those who go down into the pit.
Isaiah 14:15 Lexical
Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, to the depths of the pit.
Ezekiel 31:16 Lexical
I made the nations to shake at the sound of his fall, when I cast him down to Sheol with those who descend into the pit.…
Proverbs 5:5 Lexical
Her feet go down to death. Her steps lead straight to Sheol.
Proverbs 7:27 Lexical
Her house is the way to Sheol, going down to the rooms of death.
Isaiah 38:21 1 reference
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